Peaceful elections and fighting back Ebola on the agenda at 24th Summit of the Africa Union

Elections, conflict, terrorism, Ebola and women’s empowerment are at the top of this year’s agenda as African leaders gather in Addis Ababa for the 24th Summit of the African Union.

The annual meeting officially opens on Friday, January 30 at the AU headquarters in the Ethiopian capital under the theme of women’s empowerment. But the 54-member assembly will be focused on the pressing issues of the continent in 2015, which include ensuring peace and stability throughout the presidential and legislative elections taking place this year in a dozen African countries; conflict in South Sudan, Central African Republic and Libya; the threat of Boko Haram; and efforts to stop Ebola.

In November, the AU, along with the African Development Bank and UN Economic Commission for Africa, joined forces with business leaders to launch an Ebola Response Fund to be managed through a facility at the AfDB.